Aug. 13 Letters: Southeast Community

History of neglect

Recently there was an editorial bemoaning the lack of progress of the Brooks Crossing project since its inception in 2008. However, the history of unfulfilled promises dates back to the mid-1990s when the city razed dozens of homes between Jefferson and Terminal avenues. The plan was for this area to be the site of an industrial park. Obviously, that never materialized either.

Let's fast forward to 2006, when NFL Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith proposed developing this vacant land to attract a supermarket and various retail shops. Al Riutort, the city planning director at the time, said Mr. Smith's proposal was vague and "never seemed real to me." Former Mayor Joe Frank said, "When he came he didn't have very detailed plans." Finally Florence Kingston, the city's development director, blamed Mr. Smith's winning performance on Dancing with the Stars as the reason talks broke down.

An alternative reality: Apathy and pessimism by city leaders probably compelled Mr. Smith to withdraw his support. If he was willing to provide financial backing, shouldn't the city have been the ones developing concrete plans for the project? The former vice mayor, Charles Allen, has a masters degree in urban planning, for example. No offense to Aaron Brooks, but Emmitt Smith earned more money and has more name recognition than the former Saints quarterback.

It is not Mr. Brooks, but city leaders who have repeatedly failed to address the needs of the Southeast Community. It is time to either demand better from these officials or replace them with more competent individuals.